Support for Khushboo gathers strength

NDTV: "The tide may finally be turning for Khushboo. She has fought a lonely battle against her detractors these last few weeks after no one dared speak in her favour following the defamation cases.

Her only supporter, Suhasini Maniratnam, has also been taken to court.

But now, civil society is refusing to remain silent and voices of concern at the goings-on are getting louder.

There is a growing impatience with the intolerance witnessed in the last few weeks over Khushboo's remarks.

"Can you tolerate the intolerant? These are intolerant people. You misuse the criminal administration system and behave thuggishly. Does the public tolerate it?" N Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu.

Now the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) has also toned down its rhetoric and promised to call off the protests.

"There's no politics behind this issue. Khushboo's statement hurt women," said Thol Thirumavalavan, President, DPI.

It seems people won't tolerate it anymore. The courts are yet to announce their verdict on whether her comments were indeed derogatory.

But with the DPI's new resolve, civil society can claim one small victory."